Sweet pea is well on its way to shedding its reputation as a weed. Thanks to the pretty flowers and the dense foliage, hobby gardeners in the near-natural garden definitely recognize the advantages of the climbing legume family. Although it is a wild plant, professional care benefits growth and flowering. Here you can read compact answers to frequently asked questions directly from gardening practice.

The proliferating bindweed is not always welcome

Plant sweet peas correctly

The young plants that you have brought up yourself or bought ready-made take their place in the garden from mid-May. In a sunny, warm location, dig small pits 10-12 cm apart. Mix one third of the excavation with compost and horn shavings. (32.93€) Before you pot out the fence vetch, soak the root balls in water. Then pull off the seed pots (€16.68) to plant a vicia in each pit up to the lower pair of leaves with the enriched substrate. Tie the lower tendrils to the climbing aid so that young shoots grow in the desired direction. If the struts of a fence are too far apart, cover them with wire mesh. (€14.99) Thanks to this help, the wire bindweed will find the support it needs for rapid growth.

care tips

The care program is based on a balanced water and nutrient balance, supplemented with two measures for bushy, compact growth and a lavish abundance of flowers. How to do it right:

  • Water sweet peas regularly and plentifully as soon as the soil has dried
  • Fertilize with compost every 14 days from May until the end of the flowering period
  • In addition, mulch the soil with leaves and spray repeatedly with nettle manure
  • About 3 weeks after planting, pinch off shoots to encourage further branching

Cut off all faded flowers as soon as possible so that the second bloom can unfold. In addition, pile up the shoots of faded Vicia sepium so that adventitious roots form for optimal care of the next flowers and improved stability.

Which location is suitable?

In a sunny, warm and sheltered location, the sandweed climbs diligently towards the sky. In particular, choose a location that is sheltered from the wind so that the pretty flowers and leaves do not become disheveled or the tendrils lose their hold. Plant or sow the wild plant ideally along a garden fence in the nutrient-rich, humus-rich and fresh soil.

What soil does the plant need?

Choose the soil conditions at the location with a view to the high nutrient requirements of a sandweed. In addition, the soil should be loose, humus-rich and well-drained. Give preference to fresh, moist garden soil over sandy, dry soil and avoid locations where there is a risk of waterlogging.

When is flowering time?

The flowering period extends from May to October. This floral feat is always accomplished by the wire vetch if you regularly clean the withered blossoms. Otherwise, the wild plant invests its energy in the exhausting growth of the slightly poisonous pods, which is at the expense of the flowers.

Properly cut fence vetch

Consistently cut out the withered flowers. Remove the flowers along with the very short stems so the buds underneath can find their way into the sunlight. Don't wait until the legumes form to start cleaning. This process takes so much energy from a sandweed that the abundance of flowers falls by the wayside. After the first frost, the above-ground parts of the plant reliably freeze. You can either rake them in in the spring or cut off the shoots close to the ground.

Water sweet pea

Sweet pea is a thirsty plant. Therefore, water regularly and extensively if the amount of rain is not sufficient. To avoid waterlogging, use your thumb to check whether the top 1-2 cm of the soil has dried. It is beneficial to the vitality of a bindweed if it is watered alternately with soft and normal water.

Fertilize bindweed properly

A regular supply of nutrients is essential to bring out the opulent flowers and leaves. Fertilize the fence vetch with compost every 14 days from May to September. A mulch layer of leaves and grass clippings, which constantly supplies the hard-working soil organisms with supplies, is advantageous. Spray the earth repeatedly with nettle manure and give the climbing artist new impetus.

multiply bindweed

Vicia sepium can be propagated very easily by sowing. To do this, leave a few flowers on the plant from July so that the pods with the seeds can thrive. In autumn you harvest the legumes, take out the seeds and dry them in an airy place. Please consider the poison content of this work and refrain from snacking on the pea-like seeds. At the end of February/beginning of March sow like this:

  • Fill 10 cm pots with seed soil or peat sand
  • Press 3-4 of the previously soaked seeds into the soil
  • Sieve over with substrate and water

Keep the substrate slightly moist at a partially shaded window seat at 15-18 degrees Celsius. Nurture the seedlings until planting time begins in mid-May.

Is bindweed poisonous?

While the blossoms and young shoots of a sandweed are safe to eat, the fruit is not. The pods with the seeds inside should not be eaten as they are slightly poisonous. Even small amounts can upset a sensitive stomach with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, cut off the withered flowers in good time to prevent the growth of the toxic legumes.

Is bindweed edible?

Its high protein content makes bindweed an interesting wild vegetable for natural cooking. Not only bees and butterflies fly to the Vicia sepium to feast on the rich nectar. The blossoms and young shoots taste great on the human palate. The flowers have made a name for themselves as an accompaniment to salads or as an edible decoration for sparkling wine, water and fruit juices. The delicate shoots surprise with a mild aroma reminiscent of young peas. The legumes with the seeds they contain, on the other hand, are not suitable for consumption as they are slightly poisonous.
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trivia

Our ancestors said that the bindweed had magical powers. Whoever holds the plant in their hands, on the other hand, people must always tell the truth. In addition, tradition says that the hearts of your fellow human beings will fly to you with this plant and you will make friends more easily. Last but not least, the consumption of flowers and shoots is said to give people courage and strength. At least the latter could not be completely out of thin air in view of the high protein and vitamin content of a sandweed.

Category:

Vegetable garden